MEND Synonyms: 156 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'mend' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of mend are patch , rebuild , and repair . While all these words mean "to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective," mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured. // mended the torn dress

Q: When is 'patch' a more appropriate choice than 'mend'?

Although the words patch and mend have much in common, patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material. // patch worn jeans

Q: Where would 'rebuild' be a reasonable alternative to 'mend'?

The words rebuild and mend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing. // a rebuilt automobile engine

Q: When can 'repair' be used instead of 'mend'?

The words repair and mend can be used in similar contexts, but repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation. // repaired the back steps

mend

verb

ˈmend

Definition of mend next

as in to repair

to put into good shape or working order again that shirt will be as good as new when I'm finished mending it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to recover

to become healthy and strong again after illness or weakness she's mending after a particularly nasty bout of the flu

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as in to heal

to restore to a healthy condition mended the broken plant so that it was soon thriving again

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as in to compensate

to make up for (an offense) the proverb "least said, soonest mended" should be heeded by anyone tempted to angrily blurt out things they really don't mean

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as in to improve

to change one's behavior or character for the better everyone's written her off as a liar and a thief, but I say it's never too late to mend

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as in to cure

to bring about recovery from the old adage that only time can mend a broken heart

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb mend contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of mend are patch, rebuild, and repair. While all these words mean "to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective," mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured.

mended the torn dress

When is patch a more appropriate choice than mend?

Although the words patch and mend have much in common, patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material.

patch worn jeans

Where would rebuild be a reasonable alternative to mend?

The words rebuild and mend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing.

a rebuilt automobile engine

When can repair be used instead of mend?

The words repair and mend can be used in similar contexts, but repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.

repaired the back steps

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of mend Members of most unions are looking for an airtight deal to help mend some of the issues that have only been exacerbated by the lack of jobs due to the massive production contraction that has impacted nearly all of Hollywood. —

Katie Campione, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024 Four more outs, and all those years of postseason heartbreak would suddenly be mended. —

Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024 Olive branches are springing up left and right as American tries to mend its road-warrior relationships following departure of its chief commercial officer. —

Melvin Backman, Quartz, 25 Oct. 2024 No-charge banking Will the feds trust TD Bank to mend its criminal-enabling ways? —

Nick Rockel, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mend

Verb

The sizable structure survived a car crash in 2010, but the city repaired it with new metal and paint work that was not suited to Minnesota winters, according to Pease.

Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 14 Nov. 2024
Apple iPhones have generally been hard to repair, but a recent iFixit teardown found the iPhone 16 to be the most repairable Apple smartphone.

Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 11 Nov. 2024